Wire stretcher and tightener.



J. J. BROWN.

WIRE STEBTGHER AND TIGHTENER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 14, 1911,

1,036,792. Patented Aug. 27,1912.

K Inventor X I by E I I I Attorneys LDLUM IA PLANOGRAPH CD WASHINGTON I) C JACOB J. BROWN, 0F ENID, OKLAHOMA.

WIRE STRETGHER AND TIGHTENER.

Application filed July 14., 1911.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, JACOB J. Brown, a citizen of the United States, residing at Enid, in the county of Garfield and State of Oklahoma, have invented a new and useful Wire Stretcher and Tightener, of which the following is a specification.

lhis invention relates to improvements in wire stretchers, particularly adapted for stretching fence wire.

The invention has for its object to effect the stretching operation with facility and expedition.

A further object is to provide for conveniontly actuating the twister and for readily applying the same for use.

A still further object is to carry out the aforesaid ends in a simple, inexpensive and effective manner.

The invention consists of certain instrumentalities and features substantially as hereinafter disclosed and defined by the claims.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention, wherein it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein of the detailed construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of my invention, Figure 1 is an elevational' view of the stretcher or twister in connection with a fence wire of the barb type, the former being shown in initial position for effecting the twisting operation. Fig. 2 is a like view of the same parts, the stretcher or twister being in the position it occupies upon. the completion of the wire twisting or stretch ing operation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the stretcher or twister. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation thereof. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the stretcher or twister.

In carrying out myinvention, I suitably provide a mandrel or rod-like member 1, the same preferably resembling the ordinary turn key-formation without, however, any particular design other than convenience of handling or manipulation, the handle proper thereof being designated as 1*. Said mandrel or rod-like member has a circular shoulder or flange 2 thereon, suitably arranged with respect to one end thereof, said mandrel having said end consid erably reduced in cross-section, the crosssectionally contracted portion forming an Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented An". 27, 1912.

Serial No. 638,534.

extension 3 which isscrew-threaded to provide for the application thereto of a nut 4-, a statement of the function of which will presently follow.

A transverse member or head designated generally as 5 and preferably of the general outline disclosed, is assembled in connection with the rod or mandrel 1, said head including a part 6 of plate-like formation, which has inwardly extended. right-angled terminals 7, said terminals being laterally notched as at 8 to form hooks, which hooks face or point in opposite directions for engagement with either side of the fence wires as will be readily understood.

The plate-like hook equipped part 6 has a central orifice or opening 9 to receive the extreme outer end of the screw-threaded extension 3 of the mandrel 1. Said part 6 also has attached to its inner side a frame like bracket 10 for aiding in retaining it upon the mandrel, said bracket having its rightangled portions 10 received at their free ends, within apertures 11 in the part 6, said ends being swagcd or upset to form a fixed connection between said bracket and said part or member 6. Said bracket 10 also has a central opening 12 therethrongh to receive the extension 3 of the mandrel 1 in order that it may be tightly held thereon by the nut 4, before referred to, the latter screwing down upon said bracket as shown.

A hook equipped flexible member 13 with one end connected to a clasp, 14 fitted to the mandrel 1 and its other end connected to the top fence wire, provides for suitably suspending the device so as to be out of contact with the ground when the device may be applied, as for instance in effecting the stretch ing of the bottom fence-wire or strand, it being understood that the position of the device is reversed from that disclosed in the several views.

In the use of the device, assuming it is desired to mend or repair a broken fencewire, the ends of the wire sections resulting from the break, are suitably formed into loops 15 and 16 respectively. An additional piece of wire 17, for instance, is suitably passed through the loops 15 and 16 and bent upon itself, the same also being suitably twisted to prevent slipping thereof, one end of said wire 17 then being passed or inserted through an aperture 18 in the rod like member or mandrel 1. Now, by suitably actuating the member or mandrel 1, the same be- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

ing turned to the left, it is apparent that the wire 17 will be coiled or wound upon the mandrel, the slack in the wire will be compensated for, and the stressing or tightening.

of the fence-wire be effected. The hooked terminal 8 of the member 6 of the head 5 is now suitably engaged with the fencewire, and the latter, thus stretched or tightened, held taut by the device. lVhile thus being held, the operator clips off a portion of the loose wire 17, resulting from eliminating the slack; the remaining portion of said wire is bent back and twisted upon the fence wire for suitably fastening or securing the same. The device or twister may now be unhooked and removed from the fence-wire, the coiled portion of the wire then being removed from the twister and suitably utilized for further reinforcing the repaired portion of the fence-wire.

It is apparent that the operation of stretching the fence-wire, or compensating for slack therein, aside from the use of the device for mending or repairing the latter, as above described may also be readily effected thereby. This stretching or slackcompensating operation may be done by suitably looping a piece of plain wire, as above indicated, around a corner post, said wire being twisted upon itself against slipping. The stretcher or twister is now suitably applied and manipulated as in effecting the aforesaid stretching or stressing operation.

It is believed that it is obvious that my invention is adapted to provide for readily stretching or tightening both barb-equipped wire and plain wire, by which latter term is meant wire unequipped with barbs, while the device is readily applied for use and readily actuated, is extremely simple, inexpensive of manufacture and effective for its intended purpose.

hat is claimed 1. A wire-stretcher, including a rod-like member having a screw threaded end portion of reduced cross section, a transverse member applied to said screw threaded end portion and provided with right-angled hooked terminals at its ends, a nut engag ing said screw threaded portion, and the end of said rod-like member at the base of said screw-threaded portion, said rod-like member having a transverse opening therethrough.

2. A wire-stretcher, including a rod-like member having a screw threaded end portion of reduced cross section, a transverse member having right-angled hooked terminals and a central opening receiving the outer end of said screw threaded end portion, said transverse member having applied thereto a bracket of frame like outline having a central opening receiving said screw threaded end portion, and a nut engaging said screw threaded end portion and holding said bracket upon said rod-like member, at the base of saidreduced screw threaded end portion, said rod-like member having a transverse wire receiving opening therethrough.

3. A wire-stretcher, including a rod-like handled member having a screw threaded end portion and a shoulder thereon a short distance from one end thereof, said rod-like handled member also having a shoulder at the base of and formed by said screw-threaded end-portion, a transverse member having a central opening receiving the outer end of said screw threaded portion, said transverse member having right angled hooked terminal for engagement with a stretched wire, said transverse member also having a frame like member attached thereto and resting upon the shoulder of said rod-like member, formed by said reduced screw threaded end portion, a nut engaging said screw threaded end portion and holding said bracket upon said shoulder, said rod-like member having a transverse wire receiving opening intermediate the first re ferred to shoulder and said screw threaded end portion.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afliXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

' JACOB J. BROWN. lVitnesses:

C. H. PARKER, Cora J. Rrroeos.

Washington, D. G. 

